Riding in the rain and traffic, Winchester, regatta plans

While at work today, I got a call from my mom asking if I could come to Manassas after work, in order to join my dad on a run out to Winchester to help Shauna pack up the rest of the stuff in her dorm room. So, after work, I checked the weather--Severe Thunderstorm Watch until 10pm--and took a gamble that it wouldn't rain before I got to Manassas, and that 66W's HOV lanes would be reasonably clear. As it turns out, neither of these was the case.

I left my house around 1730 for what should be a 30-minute trip. About 30 minutes later I make it to the 66 on-ramp; about 15 minutes after that, I make it to 66, and half an hour of stop-and-go traffic later, it starts raining. Realizing that while my jacket may be reasonably water-resistant--or at least used to be--my mesh riding pants certainly aren't, I ride the shoulder for about a quarter mile to an overpass (just before the rest stop), pull over, and don rain gear over my riding gear. Pulling back out into variably heavy rain, I ride the rest of the way to Manassas, arriving almost 90 minutes after I left.

Threw my gear--all of which was at least damp*--into the dryer, and headed to Winchester with both parents. Climbed in Shauna's dorm room window, helped pack up, and across the street to Perkins for dinner we went. (Mmm, roast beef, portabello & provolone melt sandwich.)

Afterwards, I rode shotgun with Shauna back to Manassas, chatting about various and sundry; after getting back, I returned Phill's 1732 phone message, we three chatted movies, and Phill and I sorted out plans for attending the NVSRA championship regatta on the Occoquan Saturday, in which TJ is (naturally) competing.

* The outer layer used to be waterproof and is now somewhat -resistant, which is to be expected--it was inexpensive and is several years old. Time to replace with something newer and -actually- waterproof, as well as getting Rain-X for the helmet visor and anti-fog for the inside. Wouldn't hurt to Scotchgard the Ballistic jacket, either.

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Well, would you look at this.. Apple denies report of online music price boost. This via Reuters, almost certainly a more reliable source than the New York Post, from which the rumor came as fact.

Championship regatta, Norfolk concerts, dreaming

Got picked up by beracjade around 0830 and headed out to Sandy Run Regional Park, site of the 2004 NVSRA Championship regatta. $10 to park--a new fee since we rowed there, 1993-97--and a shuttle bus into the park got us in, where we greeted a couple of the coaches that we knew (Beth Eiseman, TJ '95, and Ron Lim) and spent the next few hours watching races--particular ones involving TJ Crew, who did quite well--and wandering between boathouse and grandstand, chatting with rowers and coaches, and generally reminiscing as the memories flooded back. (It was nice to see such homage paid to one of the former coaches, Eric Rothstein, too--one boat in his name, a memorial emblem on some of the boats and tshirts, and some rowing shirts with an "ER" embroidered on the collar.) I took a handful of pictures.

(I want to get back into crew again, recreationally, with one of the local rowing clubs, and possibly get one of the new Concept II Model D rowing machines--only $800! Less than previous models!--but given that I could travel for months at a time, I'm not sure if now's the time.)

We left a little after noon, headed back to my house, and then out to Chipotle for lunch, as Phill had never been. Weighty and tasty, as usual; back home, and Phill headed back to his parents' house before returning to Norfolk.

Later this month, he says, Fountain of Wayne is playing for $10 in Norfolk (28May), and 21May, Josh Kelly and Sister Hazel are playing, so I may try to make it to one or both of those shows--need to see Phill's house, after all. :)

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And now, Thursday night's dream, involving an electric raccoon and gold dueling revolvers.
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Travel for naught

Well, that was a fruitless trip.

First, I went to Coleman, to a) ask about the physical card related to the Preferred Maintenance Plan of which I'm a member, and b) see if they had things like Dzus quick-release quarter turn fasteners, Posi-Lock electrical connectors, and Laminar Lip fairing add-ons, or products like them. Unfortunately, I arrived a few minutes before they closed at 5pm--so early for a sunny Saturday!--and was able to verify that a) yes, I'd get the card eventually, and its benefits were available without the physical card, and b) they can order Dzus fasteners for about $20/6-pack, and my bike would need 24 or more to replace the fairing bolts, or $80+ total. I then had to leave, as they were closed.

Second, I went down to NAPA Auto Parts on Dale Blvd, because Posi-Lock says NAPA carries their products. Alas, they too closed at 5 on this fine sunny Saturday, so I headed back home.

Now, rather to my consternation, there was heavy traffic wherever I went--Rte 1 South, Lorton Rd leading up to 123 (backed up for over 1/3 mile), 123 in both directions, and 95N.. I don't understand weekend traffic in this area. :P

Heh.. in other news, apparently the county realized they sent me a car-windshield-style tax sticker before, because they sent me a motorcycle-style sticker today (narrow and adhesive-back instead of square and adhesive-front.)

Also, I passed my personal first 1,000 miles on the bike yesterday--463 to 1463. :)

Untimely battery shortage

I can't believe it just took me three Giants and two CVSes to find two CR2032 (3V alkaline button) batteries. Everything else was in stock except that -one- size; the first two Giants (Saratoga, Rolling Rd) and first CVS (Rolling Rd) had none, the third Giant (Springfield Plaza) had one, and the second CVS (Springfield Plaza) had three or four (for twice the price of Giant.) Bizarre, and also annoying--probably took me an hour to get 'em.

Why do I need these batteries, you ask? Lights. chiarOscuro. :)